Dublin EV Owner Faces Forced Return to Gas Car
Charging arm dispute highlights challenges to EV adoption in older neighborhoods.
An electric vehicle owner in **Dublin** may revert to a diesel or petrol car after **Dublin City Council** ordered the removal of his charging arm, which they deemed unauthorized. The resident installed the charger due to limited public options.
Charging Obstacle
The resident, a father in his 40s living in **Ranelagh**, invested €3,500 in the charging arm two years ago when he switched to an EV. The device extends over the footpath from his front garden to his car, as his residence lacks off-street parking. Without it, he says, owning an EV is “just not viable.”
Charging, done at night, costs about €15 weekly, depending on usage. In March, the council declared the arm unauthorized and demanded its removal within two months.
“We’re in wait-and-see mode, I think they will insist on us taking it down and if they do, I think we will sell the car and buy a diesel or petrol,”
—Dublin Resident
Council Action Sparks Frustration
The EV owner, who wished to remain anonymous, believes he’s unfairly targeted, as “loads”
of similar setups exist nearby. He suspects a complaint triggered the enforcement.
“There was one complaint, I think the person complained twice, and they have to act,”
he stated, guessing, “I’m just guessing someone didn’t like the look of it.”
He finds the situation “incredibly frustrating”
and at odds with the government’s EV push. Ireland aims to have almost one million EVs on the road by 2030, but is falling short of targets (RTÉ News).
“We’re an example of someone trying to do our part and we seem to be penalised for it,”
he added.
Lack of Public Charging Options
The resident reports a scarcity of nearby public charging stations, and those available are often overcrowded. Despite higher costs, he would use public stations if they were readily accessible.
“If there were loads of them around and they were available, even though they’re more expensive, we would use them. It’s the lack of them that’s the key issue,”
he explained.
Political Intervention
**Fianna Fáil** councillor **Rory Hogan** is addressing the issue with **Dublin City Council** officials, noting that numerous homes without driveways are “caught between a curb and the climate.”
**Hogan** argues that “mixed messages”
are being sent to the public, as policies promoting EVs clash with planning regulations hindering necessary infrastructure. No response was received from **Dublin City Council** regarding the matter.
